West Virginia Review and Compliance Program

The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is dedicated to
preserving and protecting our state’s important cultural resources. One
way we achieve this is by working with government agencies as projects are developed.
When a project requires a government license or permit or makes use of government
money, federal and state laws require that the project be sent to the SHPO for
review. Once submitted, the SHPO staff determines how that project will affect
West Virginia’s historic resources and provides comments to the government
agency. After the SHPO receives a project for review, the office has 30 days
to comment on the project’s effects to historic resources. These laws
DO NOT apply to private owners of historic properties who are planning alterations
to their property unless they are receiving state or federal funds, permits
or licenses for the property, or are applying for a state or federal income
tax credit.

As it reviews the effects of projects on West Virginia’s vast array of
historic resources, the SHPO works with state and federal agencies, city and
county governments, organizations, societies and individuals. The SHPO also
strives to maintain a balance between project needs and historic preservation
concerns.

If you need to submit a project for SHPO review (initiate the Section
106 Process), click here
for a list of items to include.

If you would like to see a flow chart of the Section 106 Process, click
here.

What West Virginia’s Review and Compliance Program CAN and CANNOT do:

It CAN ensure that important historic resources are not randomly destroyed
by government funded, permitted or licensed activities

It CAN help West Virginians make a difference in how a project is completed

It CAN broaden our understanding of West Virginia’s historic resources

It CAN provide a means to make a project better

It CANNOT stop project development

It CANNOT issue permits or clearances for project development

It CANNOT force a government agency to preserve an historic resource

For information about the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and other
federal laws and regulations regarding historic properties, visit the website
of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation at www.achp.gov.